Baltimore has been in the spotlight in recent years, and not in the way its residents would like. Listed as the nineteenth most dangerous place in the world, the city has certainly seen better but days. But, even amidst the drugs and violence that have over taken certain neighborhoods the people of Baltimore have a deep rooted love for their city. When you wipe away the grit and grime, it’s not hard to see why. From the birthplace of famed baseball player Babe Ruth to the home of beloved author and poet Edgar Allan Poe, Baltimore’s history is as unique and interesting as the people who live there today. With an accent unique to the nine districts that make up the city, Baltimore and its residents still have a lot to offer.

The idea for Payable On Death came to me when I was driving through the city. It seemed only fitting for it to be Jax’s home town. Let’s take a tour of Jax’s favorite places, all of which really do exist in Baltimore and see why despite its darker side Charm City is really a diamond in the rough. A lot like our heroine, Jax Rhoades.

Welcome to Bal’more, Hon.

Early in the book, Jax stops at one of her favorite restaurants, Blue Moon Café- known for delicious breakfast treats like their cinnamon rolls and Cap’n Crunch French toast, it’s not hard to see why she’d go there for carb laden comfort.

Baltimore Boxing Club, Jax’s refuge from the reality of selling her soul and being followed by demons is as full of prize fighters and trainers in real life as it is in Payable On Death.

With a name like Bad Decisions, was there really anywhere else a girl who sold her soul could work?

Mount Royal Tavern plays a huge role in our story as a meeting place for Demons and Angels. More than one deal has been struck beneath its Sistine Chapel replica ceiling. I couldn’t think of a better setting!

Thanks for joining me on a tour of Jax’s Baltimore. Known in the late eighties and early nineties as the City That Reads, that moniker still holds today. Baltimore is home to one of the largest free book festivals in the country. Whether you’re in town for Baltimore Book Festival or to see any number of its tourist attractions, why not check out some of these local favorites. They’re well worth the trip!

From left to right authors Ginger Sharp, Rachel Rawlings, Kelly Harmon and Gladys of Nerd Girl at Baltimore Book Festival.

Review:

From the first page I was hooked. The desciptions of the city, from the crime to the streets and the pain of someone who knows the rough side of family life, this book grabbed me. I wanted to scream with Jacqui when she was faced with the decision to go with the oh so perfect stranger on the chance she could save her mother from the monster who was her husband. Wow.

The cover also struck me, reminding so much of the Diana Rowland zombie books-so of course I was gonna give this one a shot before the first word hit my eyeballs.

5/5 For sheer awesome. Bring it on...

About the Author:

Rachel Rawlings was born and raised in the Baltimore Metropolitan area. Her family, originally from Rhode Island, spent summers in New England sparking her fascination with Salem, MA. She has been writing fictional stories and poems since middle school, but it wasn't until 2009 that she found the inspiration to create her heroine Maurin Kincaide and complete her first full length novel, The Morrigna.

When she isn't writing, Rachel can often be found with her nose buried in a good book. An avid reader of Paranormal/Urban Fantasy, Horror and Steampunk herself, Rachel founded Hallowread- an interactive convention for both authors and fans of those genres.

About Me

Dana Wright has always had a fascination with things that go bump in the night. She is often found playing at local bookstores, trying not to maim herself with crochet hooks or knitting needles, watching monster movies with her husband and furry kids or blogging about books. More commonly, she is chained to her computers, writing like a woman possessed. She is currently working on several children's stories, young adult fiction, short stories and is trying her hand at poetry. She is a contributing author to Ghost Sniffer’s CYOA, Siren’s Call E-zine in their “Women in Horror” issue in February 2013 and "Revenge" in October 2013, a contributing author to Potatoes! (upcoming), Fossil Lake, Undead in Pictures, Potnia, a funny ghost story anthology by Crushing Hearts Black Butterfly Press, Dark Harvest,Wonderstruck, Shifters: A Charity Anthology, Holiday Horrors and the Roms, Bombs and Zoms Anthology from Evil Girlfriend Media. Dana has also reviewed music for Muzikreviews.com specializing in New Age and alternative music and has been a contributing writer to Eternal Haunted Summer, Nightmare Illustrated, Massacre Magazine, Pagan Living Magazine, The Were Traveler October 2013 edition: The Little Magazine of Magnificent Monsters, the December 2013 issue The Day the Zombies Ruled the Earth. She currently reviews music at New Age Music Reviews and Write a Music Review.